For a bride with a passion for the forest, a woodsy style wedding was a total no-brainer. Along with her fiance and family, she DIYed the details big and small, and Jamie Zanotti Photography captured each and every bit. Click here for the full gallery of wedding goodness.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… I have always loved the combination of woodsy and high glamour. My true passion is in the forest! With the woodsy smells, mossy feel, moist clean air, and vivid green foliage… With being a hair stylist and working with brides myself, I knew I really wanted something personal and special to me. I wanted to share my passion for the woods with my guests. I would not have guessed it would have turned out so perfect and seamless.

We did almost everything from scratch, from excavating and terracing our 3rd generation family mountain property just inland of Bandon, Oregon, to building homemade arbors, to hand crafting and welding a bonfire pit with s’mores, and more. We were surrounded by willow trees, and tons and tons of strung lights, and we were even joined by my Arabian mare, Bella.

Our wedding was a testament to shared artistry and hard work–lots of it! It was very intimate, personal, emotional, and tons of fun!! My man of honor was my twin brother which was also very special to me. It was truly an incredible, magical, and enchanted evening that I will never forget.

DIY details:
– Woodland tree arbor: crafted from old fallen trees, jute twine, ferns, and mossy branches all wrapped together with floral wire and four off white sheer curtain panels stapled onto back
– Ceremony back drop: curly willow tree adorned with a garland made of torn sheets, peach lace, burlap, and paper flower garlands
– Dancefloor: made of pallets and plywood, with a few coats of brown paint plus an inexpensive gazebo without the material covering and string lights bolted to the dance floor
– Dining area: 300′ bulb lights used with self cut pole trees and twine to create a star pattern dining area
– Flower pedestals: stumps cut from fallen logs on property
– Floral arrangements: handmade by friends and family, tucked into old mason jars

Photography: Jamie Zanotti Photography | Floral Design: The Flower Market | Wedding Dress: Bella Brides Bend | Cake: Cakes With Jaz | Reception Venue: Private Residence | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Brides Bend | Catering: Elk Horn BBQ | DJ: Matt's Entertainment | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen's Attire: Banana Republic | Officiant: Alison Wasson | Wedding Venue: Private Residence | Bride's And Groom's Rings: Pave | Bride's Ballet Flats: Etsy | Bride's Jewelry: Macy's | Flower Girls' Dresses: Dollcake Oh So Girly | Hair And Make-up: EOS Organics Salon | Photography - Assistance: Kristen Ohran | Rentals: Big Tent Rents And Events

Soft, warm and cozy: the first three words that come to mind when describing this breathtaking Chicago wedding.  A day that is rich in elegant details with just a touch of winter whimsy to bring it all together. Think crazy cool centerpieces from Fleur, the planning expertise of Five Grain Events, fab paper goods from Ruby the Fox and a world of lovely images captured by Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema.  See them all in the full gallery.

From Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema… I am so excited to share Jessica and Jake’s wedding today! Jessica and Jake have one of the largest, most fun, and most loving group of friends and family we have ever encountered. It was such an honor to feel the love and excitement that surrounded them on their wedding day. Five Grain Events did an amazing job making the day go smoothly, and the florals by Fleur were just exquisite. The bouquets and centerpieces included bits of cotton and gnarly wooden elements for texture and contrast. The combination of light and beautiful natural elements and industrial elements in the venue made for a visually stunning wedding day.

Ravenswood Event Center is a unique venue in Chicago, with three floors and an event room that includes a collection of vintage cars and neon signs. The bridal party started the day getting ready at Public Hotel, a bright and airy boutique hotel. This winter day was especially cold, so we made our way directly to Ravenswood after Jessica and Jake had their first look at Public. After a few photos at Ravenswood, the festivities officially began with a traditional Tish and Bedeken. Guests moved to the second floor for the ceremony, and finally to the first floor for dinner and dancing.

Photography: Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema | Event Planning: Five Grain Events | Florals: Fleur Inc | Cupcakes: Molly's Cupcakes | Wedding Invitations: Ruby The Fox | Hair And Makeup: Charles Ifergan Salon | Hotel: Public Hotel | Ceremony & Reception: Ravenswood Event Center | Cinema: Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema | Music: Gold Coast All Stars

This wedding has soul. So much in fact, that even though every detail snapped up by Sharalee Prang Photography is steal-worthy to say the least, you can’t help but be drawn to the couple instead. Because they love they have for each other is so beautifully obvious, and there is even more waiting for you here. 

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From The Bride…I have always wanted to have an outdoor wedding and Heron’s Bridge was the perfect location for us. The property is so beautiful and it complimented my spring wedding so well.

For the décor, I chose a simple palette of blush pink, white, and gray with wooden accents and some greenery in the floral arrangements. I also wanted to incorporate some vintage accents such as the mismatched tea cups to add some character. I wanted the lighting to be a bit more dramatic. For this we used three small crystal chandeliers above the head table, two large white chandeliers above the buffet line, twinkle lights wrapped around the trees, and bistro lights hanging from the tent.

Many aspects of the décor where designed and made by family and friends. The wooden center pieces, teacup crates, and cross where all handmade by my grandpa. He put so much work into making them exactly how I wanted. All of the floral arrangements (except for the garland hanging on the head table) where put together by friends and family. They even made my bouquet for me! The chalkboard art was all designed and created by my sister-in-law and all the graphics (programs, favour bags, table numbers, seating chart, etc.) where made and printed by my mom and dad. I am so happy with how it all turned out and so thankful for such supportive friends and family.

Our photographer was also so great and captured our day perfectly. She was so fun to work and made us feel comfortable and relaxed. For our bridal party pictures she brought us to a mall and later to an alpaca farm which I just think is so creative! I love her photography style and her ability to capture the emotion in each moment.

Looking back at my wedding day, everything went so smoothly. There are so many highlights and great memories I will never forget. I wish I could re-live the day over and over again because it was truly the best day of my life.

Photography: Sharalee Prang Photography | Wedding Dress: David's Bridal | Catering: European Deli` | Makeup Artist: Nova Makeup | Hair: Jill Ratzlaff | Groom's Attire: Express | Groomsmen's Attire: Target | Tent Rental: The Tent Guys | Bride's Belt: Etsy Seller Get Noticed | Bride's Earrings: Etsy | Bride's Rings: Peoples Jewellers | Bridesmaid's Earrings: Kate Spade | Ceremony/Reception: Heron's Bridge Weddings | Crystal Head Piece: Rent The Runway | Flower Crown: She's My Florist | Groom's Ring: Ben Moss | Head Table Flower Gardland: She's My Florist | Submitted By:: Sarah Quiring

Who says you need the crashing waves of the ocean to hold a beautiful beach party?  Not this talented group of Utah’s finest vendors.  They took a crazy cool desert setting and turned it into a beach bash for the ages, complete with lush florals from Bloomers, fab paper goods from Pink Piggy and a yummy lobster bake catered by Painted Pony.  Coordinated to perfection by Forevermore Events, it’s a toes-in-the-sand shindig you can’t miss.  See it all captured by Gideon Photography right here.

And a little behind the scenes lovely from Forevermore Media… you’re welcome. 

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/77437565 600 338]

From Gideon Photography… People everywhere long to feel their toes in the wet sand as they walk along the beach. This lobster bake beach inspired shoot in the desert of St. George shows that anything is possible. The many talented vendors involved made this shoot something magical. From the classic VW Chop Bus, to the amazing dress from BHLDN, and the fabulous table set up filled with the bounties of the sea.

Photography: Gideon Photography | Videographer: Forevermore Media | Coordination: Forevermore Events | Floral Design: Bloomers Flowers and Decor | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Invitations: Pink Piggy | Catering: Painted Pony

I’m pretty sure I let out a big fat squeal when I first laid eyes on this amazing Naples affair captured by Hunter Ryan Photo. Ok, let me be honest. I definitely squealed to high heavens. And you might find yourself doing the same. Because when you pair a perfectly pink palette with beautiful design and florals from Isn’t She Lovely Florals, you are sure to get a winner. And trust me, this one is a winner.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Our colors were pale pink, cream, and touches of gold. I love soft, muted colors for weddings. I would say my style is fairly traditional, and I wanted the event to have an elegant, Southern, classic vibe, like something you would see in the lowcountry in Charleston or Savannah. Sean and I are both Catholic, but we had a non-denominational Christian ceremony. The ceremony was very important to me, and it was a very tough decision to choose an outdoor ceremony instead of a traditional church ceremony. Ultimately, we chose our ceremony venue because it is stunningly beautiful and we loved the idea of having all of the wedding events in one place. The lawn at La Playa is beautiful, and I think it really reflected our style.”

Special touches from Nicole’s day were: the inclusion of Sean’s 2 adorable sons as groomsmen with their big seersucker bowties! :) To complement to elegant theme she wanted – the event designer – Krissy, hung a beautiful chandelier in their wedding arch. Nicole really loved the soft palette for her wedding and wanted to add her own personal stamp on it – so she DIY’d all her paper goods like her menu & table numbers with her die-cut machine! She also had custom monogrammed robes for all of her maids, as well as Sean’s mother and her mother. :) During cocktail hour they had some passed hors d oeuvres, but added a super fun gorumet macaroni & cheese station with all types of delicious toppings – like Truffle Mac n Cheese! They ended the night on a sweet note – having guests fill their own goodie bags full of treats from Nicole’s custom candy bar.

Nicole & Seans honeymooned on the slopes of Vail, Colorado!

Photography: Hunter Ryan Photo | Event Design: Isn't She Lovely Florals | Floral Design: Isn't She Lovely Florals | Wedding Gown: Pronovias | Reception Venue: La Playa Beach Golf Resort | Hair & Makeup: Salon Tease | Ceremony Strings: Seaside Strings | Cocktail Hour Guitar/DJ: Wiley Entertainment

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Hunter Ryan Photo

View Portfolio

Weddings like this make me happy.  You know the ones I am talking about – they’re rich in gorgeous DIY details, filled with love from an awesome (+ talented) group of family and friends and are high on whimsy.  Basically, they’re the perfect combination of non-stop fun and pretty, and when they are captured in beautiful images by Jenny Moloney Photography, well… even better.  See it all right here.

From The Bride…My husband and I love Wellfleet, Cape Cod, for its rustic, natural beauty. We thought Wellfleet would be a unique getaway for our family and friends. Instead of just a single day we could plan a week of celebrations, from picnics at Long Pond, to a beach bonfire, to swimming in the bay. My husband, who grew up in Connecticut, has visited Wellfleet since he was a child and I’ve become very fond of Wellfleet in the past six years since we started dating and visiting the Cape. Because we live in California we had to plan the wedding long distance. This was certainly a challenge, but once we booked Wellfleet’s Preservation Hall for our ceremony and reception, the rest of the details began to fall into place.

The hall, once a church, was built in 1912. Coincidentally, my engagement ring (a family heirloom) is also from that year, so it only made sense that I wear a dress from the teens. Before booking the hall I tried a variety of dresses, from a modern strapless sheath, to a glamorous 40’s dress, to a rather gaudy beaded ball gown. After a fruitless search for the perfect dress in antique stores and vintage boutiques I won my Edwardian gown on Ebay for $148. Yep! When I first tried on the stained, wrinkled, but lovingly hand embroidered dress, I felt like it was tailored for me 100 years ago.

With the hall and dress in place, I knew I wanted a lot of rustic and romantic details. My family and friends were there to help, every step of the way. A bunch of family friends helped me assemble the burlap runners and bunting; we had a bunch of sewing parties before the wedding. I made the guest book by hollowing out an antique French novel and binding it with new pages. My father made the doorknob table number holders (we’re keeping the antique doorknobs for a future home). I designed and sewed the wedding mice. The beeswax candles we used in our ceremony were dipped at my bridal shower by my bridesmaids and friends. The chuppah was built out of birch by my father and husband. And, last but not least, my incredible brass crown was created by welder and childhood friend, James Naish.

I’m normally not a smiley person, but from the beginning of my wedding day to the end I was grinning. How could I not? So many people came together to make our wedding day special. Chandler Travis Philharmonic, our wedding band, was truly amazing. If you’re ever in Wellfleet be sure to check them out. I had not one, but two florists, one from Boston and one from the Cape. This is because I originally thought we could buy flowers from a local gardener and arrange them ourselves in all the vintage jars and vases I’d collected. In the midst of a heat wave, arranging flowers would have been a disaster. I’m so glad I let Sharyn Lindsay take over. She’s a true fairy godmother, spreading flower magic wherever she goes. Visiting her Wellfleet garden a few days before the wedding was a delight. The desserts were made by my husband’s childhood friend and owner of the Hartford Baking Company in West Hartford, Connecticut. Our ceremony musicians were friends, including my lovely maid of honor, Laura Weinbach of the Bay Area band Foxtails Brigade. She wrote and sang lyrics to a song my father composed. As for my hair and makeup, after a disastrous appointment at a local salon where I walked out looking like a pageant contestant, my bridesmaids and friends took over, transforming me into a polished version of myself. It goes without saying that Jenny Moloney was the perfect photographer to capture our celebration. When I look at our wedding photos I feel like I’m transported back to that day.

I have too many favorite memories to pare them down to just one. One of those moments was dancing with my father. He swayed like a dancing bear, sashaying me exuberantly across the dance floor. I laughed so hard my ribs hurt. Another favorite moment was dancing with my new husband at the end of the night. The whole band surrounded us, serenading us ever so softly, and around them were all our family and friends. We were completely surrounded, encircled, by love. And a final favorite moment was our midnight swim in the bay after the wedding. I will never forget swimming in my slip, crown, and engagement ring, my husband and a few friends by my side. I felt like a queen, if only for that moment, floating under the moon. After the swim was a rather chilly walk back to our inn, as husband and wife.

Photography: Jenny Sherman Photography | Catering: The Casual Gourmet | Band: Chandler Travis Philharmonic | Venue: Wellfleet Preservation Hall | Tent: Undercover Tent | Bridal Party Flowers: Nectar Floral Design | Bride's Crown: James Naish Studio | Ceremony Soloist: Laura Weinbach Of Foxtails Brigade | Desserts: Hartford Baking Company | Seamstress: Wardrobe Design By Carol Vick

This sweet, sweet e-sesh from Jay C Winter is giving me the warm fuzzies all over this morning. Because honestly, cozying up in a big chunky blanket, in a field, with wildflowers and a beautiful horse? That’s basically the definition of romance. So grab your Friday morn cup o’ joe and head on over to this adorable gallery.

From Jay C Winter… Kristine and Jay are getting married on the Central Coast. Their engagement session was an afternoon full of exploring some of our favorite spots in San Luis Obispo. We went from the oak grove in Los Osos to the base of Madonna Mountain to some mustard fields near the vineyards. These two share a fun spirit and love for each other that made my job easy that day. We can’t wait for their fall wedding…

Photography: Photography by Jay C Winter | Venue: San Luis Obispo

There’s nothing I enjoy more than summer nights dining al fresco with my nearest and dearest. I recently gathered friends and set the table with a Mexican inspired meal highlighting summer’s flavors. Fresh watermelon, yellow corn, Georgia peaches, and all the heirloom tomatoes I could find. I don’t know about you, but after the winter we all had, I’m trying to squeeze every ounce out of summer I can! Truly, MKR

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Rustic White Photography | Blue Table Settings: One Kings Lane | Candelabras: Dunes Duchess | Concept & Styling: Waiting On Martha | Red Chairs: Society Social | Striped Tapers, Vases, Rope Bowl, Tea Towels, Blue Bowls, Glasse: Waiting On Martha | Table & Chairs: Ballard Designs | White Table Settings: Kate Spade

This adorable duo is out to prove that a wedding for two can be every bit as stylish as a full-blown soiree. They traveled to the beaches of Costa Rica with Chloe Murdoch in tow, and the result is one of the coolest tropical elopements we’ve ever come across. Pretty lovers unite in the gallery right here.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Chloe Murdoch Photography… The Bride Erika and Groom Giedrius (both from Lithuania) eloped to Costa Rica and wanted to have a wedding that really reflected the style of weddings they had seen on many of SMP’s posts!

Erika wanted to have her wedding and photos feel “natural, cozy, artistic, bohemian and a little bit vintage” and I really worked with her to make that a reality. My husband and I helped her do everything from floral design, and prop coordination to the officiant and selection of venue location. It was really a one stop deal for them and was truly a blessing to be a part of making their elopement dreams a reality.

Photography: Chloe Murdoch Photography | Floral Design: Stylos Y Flores | Wedding Dress: Toma Accessories | Wedding Dress: Toma Accessories | Shoes: H&M | Venue: Tulemar Vacation Homes and Rentals

Woodland with a beautiful side of whimsy, this stunning shoot captured by Bri Morse Imagery is not to be missed.With elegance infused into every picture perfect detail, not to mention gorgeous florals from Primrose And Company and gowns from Elizabeth John’s, this gallery is a must see. 

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

The dress is called “The Forrest” (fitting!) by Lela Rose, and the gorgeous alternative bridal jewelry featured is by the talented Anne Sportun. The groom’s band was lent to us by Bario Neal, whose unique jewelry is ethically sourced.

Peonies with a blush bleed and soft Bridal veil flower, touches of wheat and white berry. Handmade ivory paper with fine gold thread as accent. Rustic ruffle cake with peonies and gold branches and a touch of textured greenery. Billows of sheer ivory fabric created a asymmetrical and deconstructed alter site.

Photography: Bri Morse Imagery | Floral Design: Primrose and Company | Wedding Gown: Lela Rose | Cake: Cake Doodles | Invitations: Just Be Studio | Hair & Makeup: Susan Hoff | Groom's Attire: Ralph Lauren | Venue: Forest | Bridal Salon: Elizabeth Johns | Bride's Jewelry: Anne Sportun | Groom's Band: Bario Neal | Jewelry Boutique: Dandelion Jewelry

Full disclosure: I’m expecting, and in recent weeks I have done nothing but live, eat and dream all things cake.  I’m talking everything from decadent chocolate to angel food heaven.  So while this gorgeous slideshow of some of our favorite cakes might be a tad bit selfish, I am fully confident you will all agree: cakes this pretty deserve a virtual party.  Who’s with me?

15 Wedding Cakes We Adore

View Slideshow

15 Wedding Cakes We Adore

View Slideshow

There’s a very special place in my heart that I reserve for Australian weddings.  It’s a place that celebrates all things rustic with a dash of whimsy + elegance thrown in for seriously good measure.  Think crazy cool outdoor ceremonies followed up by awesome barn parties with mason jars, lawn games and cute pups in attendance.  Feast your eyes on all of the beauty captured by I Heart Weddings right here.

From I Heart Weddings… Autumn is a magical time of year in South West Australia. Sure the days get a little shorter and the nights are chillier but we have an abundance of big, beautiful, blue skies which are perfect for a country wedding.

Fred and Marisa met at a Christmas party where they were plus ones for mutual friends. Fred’s first words to Marisa were “I like your fringe” (bangs for our friends in the States) and the rest, as they say, is history.

Fred and Marisa were wed at heritage-listed Alverstoke Homestead just out of Marisa’s hometown of Bunbury. “In the early stages of wedding planning, my parents casually mentioned that some friends of theirs have a lovely farm property with a barn called Alverstoke. Barn… did someone just say barn? It was our ultimate wedding venue, an old timber barn, but they are a rare commodity to find in Australia let alone as a wedding venue,” says Marisa. “We soon discovered that there was more to the property than just a barn. Alverstoke has a magical sense of place that is so encapsulating. We instantly fell in love with the property’s charm and beauty; the many rustic farm buildings immersed within a beautiful agricultural setting really appealed to us as a complete wedding venue. It provided the perfect setting for a relaxed outdoor ceremony under a big ‘knarly’ tree. The beautiful lawns and gardens were ideal for afternoon drinks and lawn games after the ceremony (or in our case a spontanuous ‘Aussies versus Poms’ cricket match!). And that old barn certainly didn’t disappoint either; we loved the idea of having an intimate dinner party for the evening reception and the barn was a fabulous backdrop for our vision, as well as satisfying my architectural side.”

When asked to try and pinpoint her favorite part of the day (a very hard task) Marisa says that she would re-live the ceremony over and over again.

“I know it sounds corny but holding my future hubby’s hands (very tightly mind you!) and exchanging vows in front of our nearest and dearest is probably my most precious moment. I was so incredibly happy, and it was such a fun and relaxed ceremony. I think it helped that a lot of our guests had taken advantage of the Pimm’s Bar beforehand so everyone was as happy as me! Not to mention our dog Marmalade, who was our ring bearer, ‘woofing’ at very opportunistic moments throughout our ceremony… priceless!”

From the Bride… Fred spent a lot of his younger years snowboarding the Mont Blanc in the French Alps. Contrary to my knowledge, he had once said to his best mate that if he ever found the right girl to marry he would propose on the summit of Aiguille Du Midi, one of the mountains. In the European summer of 2012 we arranged a touring holiday of France, and he insisted on staying in Chamonix, the village in the valley of the Mont Blanc. He insists he hadn’t planned to propose that trip, and only bought a proposal ring the day before off a French jeweller who insisted he should take me out for dinner and ply me with Champagne instead of taking me up to the top of a mountain! Lucky Fred stuck to his original plan… well sort of! Chamonix, even though its famous for being a ski resort, is tremendously busy in the summer time and the viewing platform at the summit was already packed with tourists at 9am. So he changed tactics and proposed about halfway down the mountain on a secluded rocky outcrop… it ended up being the perfect setting. And for the record, we did have some celebratory champagnes!

Photography: I Heart Weddings | Floral Design: Scentiment Flowers | Wedding Dress: Wendy Makin | Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Wedding Bands: Peppermint Grove Jewellers | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Review | Make-up: Gemma Collins - Make-up Artist | Hair: Meagan Bennett - Dalliance Hair Affair | Groom's Attire: Myer | Celebrant: Josephine Arnold Wedding Celebrant | Venue: Alverstoke | "Cheese" Cake: Re Store Leederville | Music: Les Trois Amies | Pearl Pendant: Willie Creek Pearls

With a modern Cinderella-esque feel, this glamorous, yet elegant soiree from Liz Banfield and Rocket Science Weddings & Events will leave you feeling sparkly, to say the least. From a bow-adorned pair of Valentino‘s matched perfectly to the Bride’s stunning Vera Wang dress, to the glittered cake pops from Cocoa & Fig and everything in between, this gallery has black-tie bash written all over it.

From Liz Banfield and Rocket Science Weddings & Events…According to Amy and Maury, there are never enough reasons to get dressed up so going with black tie for their wedding was a natural choice. Working with their event designer, Gretchen Culver, they settled on the theme of “Modern Glamour,” inspired by the timeless style of the 1950s but with new twists on classic traditions. This theme fit perfectly with the venue, the historic Minneapolis Club. Both the ceremony and reception would take place here so that guests to move throughout the spaces with ease.

The bride loves Cinderella, so hints of the fairytale showed up throughout the event from the Save the Date card that was designed to look like the Cinderella movie credits to the beverage napkins that read “happily ever after.” And although Amy didn’t wear glass slippers, her knockout Valentino shoes seemed fit for a princess. Amy also got to wear her dream gown, the Vera Wang Luxe “Esther” from L’Atelier Couture Bridal which was accessorized by a train-length black velvet sash. Velvet accents were used throughout the wedding design, including the wedding invitation that was enclosed in a velvet black “tie.”

Inspired by vintage photos of Frank Sinatra, the groom and his groomsmen donned single carnations for boutonnieres. Also to keep his wedding party occupied while waiting for pictures to begin, he had custom playing cards made and set out poker chips along with classic games like backgammon and chess for some old-school entertainment. Later in the reception, these games were also put out for the guests to play.

Instead of a traditional monogram, a unifying theme throughout the design was a custom pattern created by the Gretchen Berry Design that was inspired by the iconic carpet pattern in the Minneapolis Club’s dining room. The graphic pattern was repeated throughout the printed materials.

In a modern twist on the old school “champagne fountain,” glasses of champagne were incorporated into a oversized ice sculpture designed especially to hold modern stemless flutes. This sculpture served as the centerpiece to a pre and post ceremony cocktail hours for guests. And later, these same glasses were washed, filled with candy, and given as a parting gifts.

In keeping with Jewish tradition, the ceremony was timed for after sunset on Saturday. Cool blue tones from the dusky sky outside lit up the oversized leaded glass windows, a beautiful counterpoint to magical candlelit ceremony. The room’s columns were accented with floral garlands, twisting floor to ceiling. With the stage thus set, the bride and her parents emerged from the doors under a canopy of dangling votives and lace installation to evoke “fairy godmother dust” created by Rocket Science Weddings and Events. They arrived at a modern lace chuppa in which each corner of a small stage was anchored with oversize hurricane lanterns that housed gold candelabras. Wishing to be surrounded by their friends and family, the couple chose to have seating along three sides of the chuppa rather than rows of seats behind them.

After cocktail hour, guests were led to the upstairs dining room and greeted by individual “his-and-hers” cake-pop escort cards. Two flavors, hers with a pink and his with an ivory frosting, were sprinkled with edible gold glitter.

Upon entering dinner, the mostly ivory and pink color scheme was transformed to ivory and yellow. This floral transformation complemented the moss green linens and iconic carpet in the dining room, creating a very formal yet fresh feel for dinner.

The couple cut into a four-tier wedding cake iced with ivory buttercream in the club library. The nostalgic confection was adorned with roses and two porcelain cats, representing the couple’s beloved pets.

After a spirited Hora dance, guests mingled, danced, played games and took turns at a photo booth. Mid-reception they were offered an array of late night snacks including 50’s-style malts (complete with authentic white and red straws), sliders and petite grilled cheese sandwiches to keep the dancing going well into the night.

Photography: Liz Banfield | Floral Design: Summer Harsh | Wedding Gown: Vera Wang | Cake: Buttercream | Bride's Shoes: Valentino | Calligraphy: Rosann Konieczny Calligrapher | DJ: Plain Ole Bill | Groom's Suit: J.Crew | Bridal Salon & Styling: l'atelier couture bridal boutique | Bridesmaids' Dresses Style 9551 In "Falcon": Watters | Cake Pop Escort Cards: Cocoa & Fig | Ceremony & Reception: Minneapolis Club | Custom Cocktails & Mixologist: Bittercube | Gold Candelabras: Jamali Garden | Groom's Bow Tie: Stitch Lab | Groom's Shoes: Prada | Lace Chuppah: Avant Decor | Linen Rentals: Linen Effects | Live Music: Travis Anderson Trio | Malt Straws: The Malt Shop | Photo Booth: The Traveling Photo Booth | Planner & Designer: Rocket Science Weddings & Events | Rentals: Apres Party And Tent Rental | Silver Tray And Vintage Tin: The Vintage Type | Stationery & Invitations: Gretchen Berry Design Co. | Vintage Candlesticks: The Vintage Type

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Liz Banfield

View Portfolio

A pop of pink is something we wholeheartedly stand behind and one that Leslie and Rosemary of Rosemary Events  have mastered the art of. This elegant, all-white, garden affair is infused with moments of sheer pink bliss, a.k.a. florals by Flowerwild that are wildly romantic and images by Jose Villa that take this already gorgeous wedding and makes it shine a little brighter.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… We wanted our day to reflect the love we have for each other and our family and friends. Most importantly, we wanted it to be fun! We fell in love with the Beltane Ranch in Sonoma the moment we saw it. The quaint yellow house was the perfect backdrop and the views during sunset were absolutely breathtaking! We weren’t sure where to start but thankfully we found Rosemary and Leslie. They guided us every step of the way and the day was more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. They helped us transform the ranch into the most elegant setting for our special day.

Walking down the aisle with my dad while the string quartet played my favorite song “Falling Slowly”, exchanging the vows we wrote to each other, the stunning candlelit bar, our beautiful table settings and flowers, our first dance as husband and wife, walking around the ranch during sunset to take pictures, Jackson’s delivery of ice cream sandwiches -Blake’s favorite – and dancing under the stars all night on a packed dance floor are some of our favorite memories of a day packed with incredible moments!

Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Invitations: Olive-Route Design & Letterpress | Catering: the girl & the fig CATERS! | Hair And Makeup: The Makeup Dolls - Airbrush Makeup and Hair Artistry | Lighting: Twilight Design | Venue: Beltane Ranch | Ceremony/Cocktail Hour Music: Effesenden Music | Day Of Papers: Tiny Pine Press | Florals & Design: Kate Holt Creative | Ice Cream Cart: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Planning & Design: Rosemary Events | Reception Music: Boutique DJs | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Rentals: Hartmann Studios | Shuttles: Pure Luxury

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Photography

Jose Villa Photography

View Portfolio

We’re interrupting regular scheduled wedding programing for a quick shout out that a few insanely coveted spots to Jose Villa’s Mexico workshop are still available. Just think November 2 -7, you could be heading South of the Border with Jose and a handful of wildly talented industry friends, including our very own Abby Larson. Grab all the details and sign up right here!

And for even more have a look of some of the gorgeous imagery from past workshops

one | two | three

Artwork: Julie Song Ink for Jose Villa Workshops

I can’t think of a better way to soak in the summer than a long walk in the fresh air, gathering all the blooms you can hold! For those of you stuck in the city, we’ve got Avenue Lifestyle’s pretty wildflower walk in the Netherlands to tide you over. The gallery of Anouschka Rokebrand’s images is so dreamy, you’ll feel like you’re walking onto the set of a Jane Austen film. Bonus: all the steps to making your own gorgeous wildflower arrangement are at the bottom of the post!

<

From Holly of Avenue Lifestyle: The inspiration for this late summer wildflower editorial came from a deep love of flowers that developed as a child and has continued into my adult life and work as a stylist. The summertime in The Netherlands is so beautiful, with wild flowers springing up alongside roads, cycle paths and fields. For this shoot, I teamed up with the talented photographer Anouschka Rokebrand to capture some of the wild floral beauty that surrounds us in this part of the world, from the foraging of the blooms themselves to the assembly of a wildflower arrangement and bouquet laden with rich late summer hues.

Oasis floral foam
Wide mouth vessel
Foraged greenery and wildflowers

Soak a piece of oasis foam large enough to fill the bottom of a wide mouthed vase or vessel in a bucket of water until it is soaked through and dark green in color. Place it in the bottom of your vessel.

Begin by placing larger foliage and greenery on the sides of the arrangement, allowing them to spill over to the sides of the vessel in a natural way.

Add in larger floral stems, distributing colors and styles evenly as you go and filling up any gaps in the arrangement.

Add additional blooms of varying sizes, colors, textures, and heights to finish off your arrangement.

*Tip: To create a loose wildflower bouquet, follow the above steps and then with two hands, scoop the arrangement out of the vessel (removing the stems from the oasis if necessary) and bind tightly together with natural twine.

Photography: Anouschka Rokebrand | Concept & Styling: Avenue Lifestyle | Flower Garden: De Sfeerstal | Model/assistant: Jennifer Laarman

Lovelies, we’re in for such a fabulous Friday treat today. Overflowing with industry talents like Nancy Liu Chin Designs, A Savvy Event and Very Mary Inspired, this pretty, pretty shoot for their Oh So Inspired workshop has us weak in the knees. Time and again, these ladies have transformed blooms, brides and tablescapes galore into complete wedding gorgeousness. So when they get together and talk shop, the results are bound to be beautiful. Milou & Olin captured every petal, ribbon and stunning linen from La Tavola right here in the gallery.

From Nancy Liu Chin Designs…For me, the wedding season feels like contractions as one wedding ends, another begins. As a veteran, I had become use to the daily grind and without any long breaks since starting NLC Designs in 2001, I felt at times depleted of resources both mentally and creatively. The cycle of design/creativity sometimes feels lost because there was rarely a moment’s pause to refresh, to learn, to reinvent.

During this particular off season I began to re-elevate what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. Through taking a short break, I had the chance to reignite, redefine what I wanted my work to look and feel. It was so —–simply inspiring.

It was during this time that I had several wonderful heart to heart chats with fellow professionals —- Kelly McLeskey-Dolata of A Savvy Events, Mary Phan of Very Mary Inspired. We all sort of came to the same conclusion that it would be so refreshing to have a vendor retreat — a place in which people could come at the end of a long wedding season to meet with others with the soul purpose of reigniting our passion, renewing our commitments, relaxing in a place where we can “explore” other creative avenues, relooking at our business with new eyes and simply reassessing where our business is at and where might we want to go.

After much talk Kelly, Mary and I came up with this great idea for a 3 day hands on intimate retreat called Oh So Inspired. We found a beautiful and charming venue in Sonoma, California called Ramekins where the daily activities will take place. It’s ideally located in a quaint town, and within walking distance from the main square. Beautiful in late fall, Sonoma is a short and scenic drive from San Francisco. Our lodging partner, El Dorado Kitchen and Resort, which is one of our favorite places to style in Sonoma, is mere blocks from Ramekins so attendees have a great place to stay during the retreat. Breathing in the crisp air, seeing the gorgeous fall hues in Wine Country, what could be more enticing?

Over a course of 3 days, the Oh So Inspired retreat will offer creative activities including floral class by Nancy Liu Chin, sketch lessons by Mary Phan of Very Merry Events, calligraphy tutorial by Maybelle, a culinary cooking experience from the chefs at Ramekins, and you’ll also get to partake in a styled photo shoot designed by Kelly McLeskey-Dolata of A Savvy Events ( at a secret location ) along side one of the Nation’s top photographer, KT Merry. To top off our styling, we are excited that Small Masterpiece’s founder, Jason Murakawa will demonstrate how to set a proper table.

In addition to all the education, you’ll get a chance to hear stories of inspiration and humble beginnings from successful entrepreneurs, as well as bond over fire-side chats. The original “eventiste” Marcy Blum will grace us with her presence and open our event with her fabulous stories of Inspiration. And many more speakers to follow.

But there is more!

Each day will start out with delicious breakfasts, followed by a mid day lunch by Ramekins. The first night we will have a wonderful cooking class followed by dinner for all attendees. Our final night will include a celebratory event and dinner. There’s a wonderful swag bag for all attendees which will have goodies that we would love to share but you’ll have to come to get it.

Sounds like your cup of tea? Cozy up with us this November 3- 5 in Sonoma. Indulge in learning, renewal, and honest to goodness growth plus take your business to a whole new level and create life-long connections.

Oh So Inspired
November 3-5, 2014
Register here!

Photography: Milou + Olin Photography | Styling: Very Mary Inspired | Floral Design: Nancy Liu Chin | Venue: Ramekins Sonoma | Invitation: Forever Heyday | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Planning: A Savvy Event | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Ribbon: FrouFrou Chic | Vendor: Oh So Inspired

Inspiration shoots come in all shapes and forms, but when they just so happen to be shot by When He Found Her there’s no denying it’s going to be gorgeous. Lisa Collins styled every spring-loving moment and the crisp white blooms? They’re all thanks to the talents at Sweet Woodruff. Sit back and be inspired in the gallery right here.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Lisa…. When selecting a location to shoot, we immediately thought of Ruthven Park, with its neoclassical architecture and stunning property. We loved the romantic feel of this grand country estate situated on the edge of Grand River, nestled in between acres of lush meadows and active farm fields.

Our shoot was inspired by our northern spring, and the cool, fresh days we experience here in Ontario, when the snow finally starts to melt away and gives way to early spring buds. We chose our colour palette to capture the cool crispness of the season, using soft muted greens, clean whites and the faintest icy teal blue.

In keeping with the old estate setting, we created garden-inspired arrangements and a bouquet made up of full white garden roses, peonies, sweet peas, anemones, spirea and geranium.

Our rustic, but elegant tablescape was achieved by layering natural wood elements, terra cotta and faint teal dinnerware with a personalized hand-drawn monogram. To bring our vision to life, we set the scene on a beautiful sunny day and Reid managed to capture it all in just the perfect spring light.

Photography: Will Reid Photography | Event Design: Sweet Woodruff | Floral Design: Sweet Woodruff | Hair And Makeup: Ashley Readings Hair And Makeup | Dinnerware And Glassware: Crate & Barrel | Dresses: Mrs. Bridal Boutique | Furnishings, Table, Linen And Chairs: Sweet Woodruff | Location: Ruthven Park | Model: Genevieve Hutchinson | Stationary And Calligraphy: Post Calligraphy | Veil: Posh Veils

Though I don’t drink in abundance, I do enjoy an alcoholic beverage now and again – especially when they’re paired with a lazy sun-filled day. And though I’m equipped with a handful of classic recipes in my back pocket, I know for certain that there’s always room for more. Especially when Kylie Martin and Caroline Potter are behind the scenes. Their hawaiian blackberry mojitos? A new favourite!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Kylie Martin… I live in Hawaii and in Hawaii we love ourselves a good tropical drink. Enter: this little Blackberry Mojito. First off let me say, it’s so delicious and secondly it’s beautiful. I think it is the perfect drink for a summertime afternoon wedding. I spent ages looking for the perfect cocktail and when I stumbled upon Caroline’s recipe I immediately fell in love.

Jacquelyn ClarkHawaiian Blackberry MojitosRefreshing and delicious. Perfect for summer!

prep time 5 Minute/s

cook time

total time 5 Minute/s

Serves 1Ingredients

• 6 blackberries, crushed
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 oz white rum
• 4 fresh mint leaves
• 3-4 oz sparkling water
• large handful of ice

Instructions

1. In a glass, crush blackberries with a muddler to extract the juice.
2. Using a mesh strainer, strain seeds and pulp leaving only blackberry juice.
3. In a tall glass, muddle mint leaves with lime juice to extract flavor.
4. Add in blackberry juice and rum, giving a quick stir to mix. Add a handful of ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a slice of lime or a blackberry.
5. NOTES: To save time, you can prepare the blackberry juice ahead of time and keep in in a glass jar in the refrigerator.
6. If you or your guests prefer a drink without alcohol, simply omit the white rum and top off with an extra splash of sparking water.
7. The rum adds a bit of sweetness, if choosing to omit you may want to add a drizzle of raw honey to contrast the tart berries

Photographer: Kylie Martin Photography | Styling: Kylie Martin Photography | Photo Lab: PhotoVision Prints | Recipe: Caroline Potter

I love couples who aren’t afraid to really personalize their day, and for this Seattle duo that meant a nod to their professions in the aerospace industry. Pretty cool, right? With a subtle travel motif woven in through the details, they managed to pull off a wedding with elegance + style, and Ryan Flynn captured the gallery you don’t want to miss.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Manette Gracie Events… Kristen and Simon’s wedding was a perfect balance of whimsy, romance, ruckus and fun. Since they both work in the aerospace industry, they decided to play with a vintage travel motif throughout the event. This was potentially poignant paired with the groom’s South American heritage, and the many international guests who travelled for the celebration.

They honored this throughout the event– with items like their map guestbook, South American table numbers and Simon’s grandfather’s prayer shawl on their homemade chuppah. The couple also chose to include a South American inspired Hora Loca toward the end of the event, where the wedding party donned festive party gear, which they then brought down in baskets for the rest of the guests.

Kristen and Simon stayed true to themselves as well. Both being fabulous dancers, they chose an inspired first dance routine, and then continued to dance until the lights came up, well past midnight.

Simon and Kristen’s charisma and positive attitudes shone throughout, despite the day’s only slight hiccup– a drizzly Seattle spring day. Instead of grumbling, the two grabbed their wedding party, and umbrellas, and hit the city streets for photos. This is reflected in a beautiful image of Kristen as she is about to depart their shuttle, all smiles, as her bridesmaids pop umbrellas and wait for her to join them.

Photography: Ryan Flynn Photography | Coordination: Manette Gracie Events | Florist: Keather O'Malley Petersen | Wedding Dress: Katie May | Bakery: Mighty-O Donut | Catering: Duos Catering | Transportation: British Motor Coach | Wedding Venue: AXIS Pioneer Square | Dress Boutique: The Dress Theory